Happy Holidays, guys! Hope yours are great!

Sollux was buried in his bed. He was tangled in his thick blankets and he was drowning in the countless number of pillows that he took comfort in, surrounding him as he slept. But he wasn't sleeping right now. He had barely slept for the past few days. Though, he did remain in bed the entire seventy-two hours, aside from showering, reluctantly moving to use the bathroom, and to grab small portions of something to eat. His migraine decided to hang around and throw a mother-fucking party, and it was near unbearable. Not that he wasn't use to unbearable headaches by now, but that didn't mean that they would cease to leave him bed-ridden.

He wasn't sure what time it was, simply because it took far too much energy to roll all the way over and look at the clock. It was on the side table that stood on the left side of the bed. Sollux was curled into a ball in a heap of blankets, facing the side table on the right side of the bed. See the problem here?

Anyways, yeah, he hadn't the slightest fucking clue what time it was. His body's clock was screwed over, but he was pretty sure that it was early morning. His black-out curtains restricted him from judging the time based on the sunlight, which he couldn't help. Any sample of light hurt like hell.

He found himself quite busy, content while submerging himself in his lazy thoughts, despite the fact that it felt as though an ice pick was being shoved into his skull. A big ice pick. Irish mob style. Meanwhile, he barely heard Eridan enter the room. The groggy male leaned in Sollux's doorway, releasing a long, and excruciatingly loud yawn. Sollux replied with a groan, pulling his blankets even tighter around his body.

"Holy loud noises, batman...Shut the fuck up," Sollux groaned, pain streaking and throbbing through his head. Eridan wasn't at all offended by Sollux's rude morning greeting. He just looked at Sollux sadly.

"Shit, your head still hurts, Sol?" Eridan asked, his voice layered with concern. Sollux rolled his eyes.

"No, your voice just sounds like a cat stuck in the garbage disposal to my mind. Didn't I ever tell you how soothing it was?" Sollux snapped, and it was Eridan's turn to roll his eyes.

"I'll lay with you," was Eridan's reply. Sollux snickered.

"Right, that should make it all better. Why didn't I think of that before?"

Once again, Eridan ignored Sollux's rude comment. He walked across the room, stretching as he did so. He obviously had just gotten out of bed, which confirmed Sollux's suspicion that it was early in the morning. Eridan never slept past seven. He slid into Sollux's bed, sliding an arm around Sollux. He held the suffering male close, resuming the position that they had found themselves in when Eridan was comforting Sollux a few days ago.

"There. Better?" Eridan asked, and Sollux let out a sarcastic gasp.

"Well, butter my biscuits! Eridan, my headache of three horrific days has disappeared by your touch! Why didn't you tell me that you were gifted with the healing skills of the Rivendell Elves?" Sollux exclaimed. Once again, Eridan rolled his eyes.

"Wow, snippy. I wasn't aware that bitchyness was on the list of migraine symptoms."

"All part of the package, babe."

"I didn't order anythin'."

Sollux smiled softly, and he could feel Eridan smiling as well behind him. It couldn't be denied that Eridan and Sollux bickered all the time. Anyone who said otherwise was a damn liar. Whether it was playful bickering, or loud and competitive bickering, they both found it endearing. After a while of a comfortable silence, Eridan nuzzled his face into the back of Sollux's soft brown hair.

"The laptop place thing called while you were asleep last night. They said that your laptop was done," Eridan said gently. Sollux couldn't help but to let out a long groan of thanks and happiness.

"Praise the lord above. It feels like a lifetime since I last did some decent coding," Sollux sighed, and Eridan smiled fondly.

"I haven't seen you work your skill with a computer in a long, long time," he said, causing Sollux to raise his eyebrows.

"You've seen me code?"

Eridan nodded. "A' course. That's what you were known for; your amazin' skill with a computer." He blushed slighty before he continued. "Also, I use to watch you when we were in our online classes. You would always finish within the first five minutes of class, then you would go straight into codin' or whatever. You were a fuckin' prodigy. You wouldn't pay attention at all in class, and you would still ace everythin'. I remember that you would skip classes all the time because you knew every fuckin' thing, and the classes bored you."

Sollux couldn't help but to be a little surprised. He wasn't fond of remembering high school, but he certainly didn't remember Eridan paying that kind of attention to him. Everything that Eridan said was true, though, so Sollux knew that what the Aquarius said about watching him must have also been true. Sollux couldn't help but to smile at the thought.

"You know, normal people would find that creepy."

"Good thing you're hardly normal, Sol."

"Gee, thanks for that one."

"Dont mention it, hon."

Sollux scoffed. "If I'm hardly normal, what does that make you?"

"Me? It makes me perfect, that's what it makes me," Eridan replied with a smile, and Sollux scoffed for the second time.

"Define perfect."

"Without any flaws. As good as humanly possible. Containin' every desire that there is to have."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that your name and picture are on the opposite side of the dictionary from that word," Sollux teased, and Eridan couldn't help but to laugh at that one.

"Shut up, jackass!" He said, nuzzling his face further into Sollux's hair. Sollux smiled lovingly.

"Speaking of my being a prodigy and all," Sollux started with a smile. "How are your classes going? Good, I'm assuming, since you are only going for your arts degree," he half teased, half asked. He could practically feel Eridan frowning against his hair.

"Bite me, Captor."

"That could be arranged."

Eridan smiled then. "I guess classes are okay. I'm really bad at, well, anythin' educational, so...They're as good as they're gonna' be."

Sollux nodded in reply. He was actually worried about Eridan and his schooling. Eridan always seemed stressed when it came to school, and Sollux was concerned. Sollux had never had that problem. Even more curiously, Eridan didn't even seem to want to be at school.

"I can help you whenever you need it, you know. I can get my own shit done without breaking a sweat, I'll help you with anything you need," Sollux assured, and Eridan smiled softy, sighing tiredly.

"I know. Thanks, Sol."

Sollux nodded again. He couldn't hide his worry, and he certainly couldn't hold everything inside. Not with this headache.

"Do you even want to be in college, Eridan?" Sol asked, and he could feel Eridan sigh against his hair.

"Honestly? Not really, Sol," he admitted, confusing Sollux further.

"Then why are you here?"

"I needed to get away, Sol, you know that. Also, what else am I gonna' do with my life? I didn't do too hot in high school, not that I would get far on just a high school diploma anyways."

Sollux paused a moment before speaking. "Well, the family business is always there. What does your father-"

"Dont, Sol."

Sollux shut up. He knew better now then to pry into Eridan's family life, though the concern never faded. He couldn't take the countless number of situations that his imagination would spit out, and the worry in him just continued to grow. He wanted to get to the bottom of this whole thing, but he didn't know how.

Finally, Sollux rolled over in Eridan's arms. He was getting use to this position, being held by his boyfriend. He loved the feeling. He looked into Eridan's eyes, their deep color holding a curiousness that matched Sollux's. Sollux blinked once before speaking, his voice nearly shaking.

"Eridan, did your father ever hurt you?" Sollux blurted, and Eridan's eyes widened. "Did he ever abuse you?" Eridan quickly shook his head, and relief flowed through Sollux.

"God, no! Of course not!" He replied, shaking his head. His movements then slowed, and he looked at Sollux cautiously. "Why? Did yours?"

If Sollux had known that the question was going to be countered against him, he never would have asked. His whole body went rigid and he stilled. He assumed that his had face paled, not only because his cheeks felt cold, but also because Eridan's face held a look of horror.

"Sollux?"

Sollux tried to swallow, but he couldn't. His throat had tightened, as did his lungs. He quickly looked away, unable to look at the horrified expression that was stuck on Eridan's face.

"Don't worry about me, Eri," he managed, and Eridan quickly sat up. He looked as though he couldn't breathe, quickly grabbing Sollux's hand.

"Sollux? Did your father hurt you?"

Sollux had to keep himself from shaking due to the emotions that were filling him and the memories that were returning. He didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to talk about it. But he also didn't want to go this whole relationship on hidden secrets and dodged questions. He swallowed hard.

"Yes."

Eridan looked sick. His face had paled as well, and his fingers clasped harder to Sollux's. He had nothing to say. All he could do was to stare at Sollux with a pure, uncovered heartbreak that made Sollux himself feel sick. Sollux quickly shook his head.

"I told you the truth. No beating around the bush, no denial, no secrets. So please, just let me leave it at that," Sollux practically begged.

Eridan continued to stare at him, and guilt joined the heartbreak in his eyes. Sollux assumed that Eridan felt guilty because Sollux would tell Eridan everything that Eridan wouldn't tell Sol. And to something this extreme...Eridan tried to compose himself.

"You can't just expect me to let this go," he replied, and Sollux bit his lip.

"You asked, I answered. Whether I expect you to or not, I'm asking you; please. Don't worry about me. It's over, and it's fine."

"B-but...But why? Why would he hurt you? What did he do to you?" Eridan sputtered, and Sollux shook his head, clamping his hand over Eridan's mouth.

"Eri! It's not important, okay? It's over. My father is...He's better now, so it's okay. It's in the past, and I've moved on," Sollux lied, slowly pulling his hand away from Eridan's mouth as he spoke. Eridan just looked at him with pure sadness. It didn't take someone as smart as Sollux to tell that he was lying. Eridan looked down at his hands, working to keep his bottom lip from trembling.

"I'm sorry, Sol. For everythin' that you have to go through. It's not fair," he whispered, and Sollux felt a lump form in his throat.

Fuck his damn father. Fuck Eridan's father, too, for getting them on the subject. Now Eridan's worried and pity's Sol, and Sollux didn't want any of that. He was sick of all the pity. He was fucking fine, aside from this shitty headache. He couldn't help himself from worrying about Eridan, and he didn't even know why he worried about Eridan. He was beginning to think that he would never find out.

"Don't be sorry, Eri. It's okay," he assured.

Eridan looked up at him, parting his lips to surely say that it was not okay, but the ringing of Sollux's phone interrupted him. Sol sighed, half thankful, and half annoyed by the caller. He rolled over in bed, reaching over to his bedside table and grabbing his phone. He looked at the caller ID, then groaned.

"Fuck me," he muttered under his breath, answering the call and putting the phone to his ear. "Hey, daddy," he answered, falling on his back and looking up at the ceiling as he spoke.

Eridan's eyebrows rose quickly, an anger flickering in his eyes, followed by slight confusion. Did Sollux just say 'daddy'? That wasn't the important part to Eridan, though, and Sollux could tell.

"Your fuckin' father's on the phone?" Eridan spat in a harsh whisper. Sollux's eyes widened and he shook his head quickly, putting his fingers to his lips as he sat up. He then slid his hand over Eridan's, stroking the back of Eridan's hand gently with his thumb.

"Yeah, I'm doing fine. I've kind of been out of work and out of class for the past few days because a wonderful migraine decided to vacation in my head, so that's kind of really fucking sucked," he mumbled, immediately wincing because of the stern voice over the phone. "I'm sorry, I'll watch my language," he almost whispered, glancing up at Eridan, who slowly raised an eyebrow in amusement. Sollux blushed, looking away.

"Classes are fine. Yes, work is fine. Yes, I promise I'm doing fine. Karkat is doing fine also, yes," he droned, slowly crossing his eyes in annoyance. Eridan couldn't help but to smile at that action. Sollux then uncrossed them, letting out a heavy sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose, an obvious habit of his.

"I know, I've been meaning to call Mit. He wanted to see me last week, but I was..." He glanced up at Eridan. "Busy," he finished, smiling slightly. Eridan smiled in return, relaxing, although he wasn't exactly sure who or what Sollux was talking about. Sollux's eyebrows then knitted together, and he looked uncomfortable.

"Um...No, Aradia and I havent made up. But I, uh, I did find somebody," he said slowly, and Eridan's eyebrows rose. Sollux cleared his throat. "Meet her? Well, you see, I don't see that happening..."

Eridan couldn't help but to smile slightly, and Sollux sighed. He knew that his parents wouldn't have any problem with Sollux being with a guy. They were never going to shut up about it, but they definitely wouldn't have a problem.

"I'll talk to you later about it, daddy. I have to take something for my head before I kill someone. Yeah, I love you too." He glanced up at Eridan, readying himself. "Tell dad I love him too, and Mit. Have a good day. Bye," he said, and his eyes met Eridan's surprised ones as he hung up and set his phone aside.

"...Daddy? And...Dad?" He asked, and Sollux nodded.

"Yeah. I was adopted when I turned eleven," he explained, and Eridan nodded, interested. Sollux smiled slightly. "I called Carter 'daddy' and Monroe 'dad' to avoid confusion."

Eridan smiled a wide smile. "That's so damn cute, Sol."

"Hardly," Sollux chuckled, just relieved to be off of the subject of his real father.

"So whose Mit, then?" Eridan asked, and Sollux sighed with a fond smile.

"My brother, Mituna. They adopted him when they adopted me. He's my biological brother."

"That's so sweet! Is he younger than you?" Eridan asked, his fingers slipping in between Sollux's. Sollux shook his head, his fond smile widening.

"No, he's around your brother's age. He's not much older than me, only three years, but..." Sollux sighed. "He's got a lot of problems. He's pretty much my younger brother, with the way he acts and how we treat each other."

Eridan nodded slowly. "When you say 'problems'..."

"I mean he's got all of my problems, but on a level that's almost unbelievable. He's also got a lot of brain damage, and he, um...He's pretty much like a little child. Don't get me wrong, I love him to death, and I would do anything for him, but...Yeah, he's a lot of work," Sollux explained, squeezing Eridan's hand gently. Eridan squeezed back affectionately.

"Brain damage? From what?" He asked, his voice slow and curious. Sollux sighed for the upteenth time that morning.

"A car accident."

Eridan looked at him, curiosity still there, now accompanied by sadness. He stroked Sol's hand a moment before realization flickered in his eyes, which widened slightly. His eyebrows rose before he spoke.

"A car accident! Wait, is that why you're not a car person?" He asked, and Sollux groaned.

"Yes, that's why. But I don't want to talk about this, Eridan!" He said, looking at his boyfriend tiredly. Eridan nodded quickly.

"No, I understand, Sol. Don't worry about it, we don't need to talk about it," he agreed, pulling Sollux close to him, hugging him lovingly. Sollux sighed a thankful sigh of relief, sliding his arms around Eridan.

They sat there, holding each other for a while. Sollux could only imagine what was going through Eridan's mind. Sollux just laid a fuck-ton of shit out on the table, and he knew that Eridan must be thoroughly processing everything. His family, for starters, especially the part about his father...

Sollux sighed. He wished that the subject never came up. That was a part of his life that he worked to a great extent to forget. He knew that the subject wasn't going to be completely dropped with Eridan, but Sollux didn't mind.

That surprised him, actually. He was hardly comfortable with talking to Karkat and Feferi about his family problems, but with Eridan, things were different. He felt as though he could trust his boyfriend with absolutely anything. He could honestly say that he didn't feel like this with Aradia. Eridan was the only person that made Sollux feel like everything was truly, honestly, and wholly okay. After a while of sitting in a comfortable silence, Sollux spoke up.

"You do know what this means, right?" Sollux asked, and Eridan looked at him thoughtfully. Sollux smiled a slow smile. "Now, you have to meet my family."

Eridan couldn't have looked more excited.